Chelsea Player of the Season misses out on World Cup ‘dream’ | OneFootball

Chelsea star Joao Pedro will not be at the FIFA World Cup after Carlo Ancelotti omitted him from the Brazil squad going to North America this summer. 

The Italian revealed the 26 players he will be taking to the tournament on Monday, but there was no place for the Blues attacker despite an impressive debut campaign at Stamford Bridge.

Pedro has registered 23 goals and six assists since making the move from Brighton last year, earning him the Chelsea Player of the Season award on Tuesday.

Chelsea Player of the Season Joao Pedro misses out on World Cup

The award is scant consolation for the 24-year-old, who will miss out on his “dream” of playing at the World Cup, but he was philosophical about his omission.

“I tried to give my best at all times,” he posted on social media. “Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to fulfill this dream of representing my country in a World Cup, but I remain calm and focused, as I always try to be.

“Joys and frustrations are part of football. From now on, I wish good luck to everyone who is there and I will be just another fan cheering for them to bring the sixth title home.”

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Pedro has been the standout player in a frustrating season for Chelsea, but Ancelotti chose to bring Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli and Santos star Neymar Jr, despite both players struggling for form and fitness respectively.

Ironically, Pedro backed Neymar to earn a call-up for the World Cup. “[I want] Neymar at the World Cup. Neymar is Neymar. Just like Messi is for Argentina, Neymar is for Brazil. Neymar is my idol. He’s a guy I didn’t have the opportunity to play with,” he told TNT Brasil earlier this year.

Pedro was not the only high profile Premier League player to be left out, with Spurs’ Richarlison also missing out on a place in the squad despite being a regular in the Brazil national team since making his international debut in 2018.

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